Fuel burning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A gaseous fuel burning assembly employing a burner head having a plurality of horizontally disposed radial passages for discharge of gas therefrom. A horizontally disposed circular plate above the passages is provided to spread the gas for mixture with combustion air passing through an inverted cone-shaped air baffle in a vortex pattern.

United States Patent (72] Inventors Woolard, Lester G. [56] References Cited z z I h f d UNITED STATES PATENTS eit V. isberg.Martinsvile hot 0 ln 1 H pp No 886925 3,203,462 8/1965 Prowse 43 I183 [22] Filed Dec. 22, 1969 Primary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. [45] Patented June 22, 1971 Attorneys-Harry C. Martin, Jr. and 1. Raymond Curtin [73] Assignee CarrierCorporation Syracuse, N.Y.

s4 1 FUEL BURNING APPARATUS zchimsznnwmg Figs ABSTRACT: A gaseous fuel burning assembly employing a [52] U.S. Cl 239/406, burner head having a plurality of horizontally disposed radial 431/183 passages for discharge of gas therefrom. A horizontally [51] Int. Cl BOSb 7/10 disposed circular plate above the passages is provided to [50] FieldoiSearch 4. 431/183, spread the gas for mixture with combustion air passing through an inverted cone-shaped air baffle in a vortex pattern.

PATENTEUJUNZZISYI 35 5242 LESTER G. WOOLARD BY KEITH V. EISBERG INVENTOR.

FIG. I 5M ATYORNEY FUEL BURNING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many applications a compact, high-efficiency gas burner assembly is required. When burner size is reduced in relation to burner output, flame length is ordinarily increased. To provide a high output compact burner having a short flame length, a burner assembly may be provided which will produce a vortex flame pattern. The vortex flame pattern provides efficient mixing of large quantities of air and fuel for high heat output in relation to burner size and flame length.

However, flame detachment from the burner, noise, and uneven distribution of the gas within the burner may be encountered with vortex burners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a fuel burning apparatus including a burner assembly and an inverted cone-shaped vortex inducing air baffle. The burner assembly, which projects upwardly within the air baffle, includes a burner head having a plurality of radially extending horizontal passages for discharge of fuel therefrom. A circular flame spreader plate is disposed adjacent the burner head in a plane parallel to the plane of the burner head passages for dispersing and deflecting the fuel discharged from the burner head to produce a substantially continuous ring of flame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the burner forming the subject of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of the burner illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is illustrated a fuel burning apparatus comprising a fuel burner assembly 11 and an inverted cone-shaped vortex inducing baffle l3. Louvers 15, formed in baffle 13, are provided to create a vortical flow ofair past the burner assembly.

The burner assembly comprises'burner head 17, adapted for connection to a suitable gas line 19 as by threaded connection 21. The burner head 17 is provided with a plurality of radially extending horizontal passages 23 for discharge of fuel therefrom.

For optimum burner efficiency and stability, a substantially continuous ring ofgas is desirable for mixture with the vortical flow of air thereby. Since the gas is discharged from the burner head in a finite number ofjets, a circular flame spreader plate 25 is affixed to the burner head 17 by any suitable means, such as welding, so that the gas upon detachment from the periphery of the plate is spread thereby to form a substantially continuous ring.

Considering the operation of the described burner, air under pressure is provided to the underside of the baffle plate. This may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as a separate blower or by installing the burner in a location such as described in U.S. Application, Ser. No. 735,362, filed June 7, 1968, now U.S. Patent No. 3,529,145, wherein a positive pressure differential is maintained across the burner in an absorption refrigeration machine by the condenser fan. Due to the pressure differential across the fuel burning apparatus, air passes upwardly through the louvers 15 in the vortex inducing baffle 13 and around the opening 29, which is provided in baffle 13 for insertion of the burner assembly. The louvers create a vortical flow of air above the air baffle, while the air passing through opening 29 provides preliminary mixing of gas and air. The gas discharged from passages 23 is evenly spread by the plate 25 to provide a continuous, evenly distributed ring of fuel flow from the periphery of the plate. The gas from the periphery of plate 25, which is mixed with the small quantity of air passin through 0 enin 29, is ignited b suitable means such as a pi ot flame not 5 own) to provl e a continuous flame around the periphery of plate 25. The air passing through louvers 15 provides the additional air necessary for substantially complete combustion of the fuel and produces a vortex flame pattern for maximum burner efficiency in a minimal area. The plate 25, by distributing the gas discharged from openings 23, provides an even, stable flame which has heretofore been difficult to obtain in high output, compact burner assemblies.

We claim:

1. A fuel burning apparatus comprising a burner assembly; a conical air baffle having an open apex and including means to produce a vortical flow of air, said burner assembly projecting upwardly through the open apex of said air baffle, said burner assembly comprising a burner head adapted for connection to a source of fuel, said burner head having a plurality of radially extending horizontal passages for discharge of fuel within said conical air baffle and a circular flame spreader plate disposed above said burner head adjacent said open apex and located in a plane parallel to the plane of the burner head passages, fuel discharge from the passages in said burner head being dispersed and deflected thereby to produce a substantially continuous ring of flame.

2. A fuel burning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air baffle means has an inverted conical shape with vortex inducing louvers formed therein for passage of air therethrough, the vortical flow of air past said burner assembly minimizing impingement of the flame on said baffle and causing intimate mixing of fuel and air for efficient combustion. 

1. A fuel burning apparatus comprising a burner assembly; a conical air baffle having an open apex and including means to produce a vortical flow of air, said burner assembly projecting upwardly through the open apex of said air baffle, said burner assembly comprising a burner head adapted for connection to a source of fuel, said burner head having a plurality of radially extending horizontal passages for discharge of fuel within said conical air baffle and a circular flame spreader plate disposed above said burner head adjacent said open apex and located in a plane parallel to the plane of the burner head passages, fuel discharge from the passages in said burner head being dispersed and deflected thereby to produce a substantially continuous ring of flame.
 2. A fuel burning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said air baffle means has an inverted conical shape with vortex inducing louvers formed therein for passage of air therethrough, the vortical flow of air past said burner assembly minimizing impingement of the flame on said baffle and causing intimate mixing of fuel and air for efficient combustion. 